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Double Bass Henriksen JazzAmp?

#3
"our Jazz Amps are warmer than Polytone amps, or any other amp including tube amps"

Personally that kind of statement gets me worried. It doesn't make me think of a hi-fi approach to sound. I could be wrong of course.

"Now in the 45 years since I first set foot on a bandstand I cannot remember ever seeing any pro musicians sharing an amp. So I concluded that multiple inputs for that purpose were not necessary for the professional jazz musician."

Umm what happens if you want to use a pickup and a mic?

I sent them e-mail to ask those and other questions. I look forward to their response.
 
#4
I understand your concern, yet...

“Perfect reproduction of the acoustic tone of my bass”
- Ken Walker, director of jazz bass studies at the Denver University Lamont school of music.

And a suppose that most people using a pickup and a mic are probably using a mixer of some sort. Could be wrong, as I've never used a mic except for recording.

I think I'll call 'em later today and see if I can arrange a visit. Evergreen is less than an hour away...

Cheers,
Mark
 
#5
vanderbrook said:
I understand your concern, yet...

“Perfect reproduction of the acoustic tone of my bass”
- Ken Walker, director of jazz bass studies at the Denver University Lamont school of music.

And a suppose that most people using a pickup and a mic are probably using a mixer of some sort. Could be wrong, as I've never used a mic except for recording.
Click to expand...

Personally those kinds of quotes mean little to me. Just like there are always claims and quotes that certain strings sound "just like gut" or that certain pickups sound "just like a mic," lots of claims and quotes claim "perfect reproduction." It's amazing for example to even find out how many endorsers of certain gear do not actually even use that gear.

But in any case, Peter Henriksen from JazzAmp replied to my message. It sounds like an interesting box - I wish I could try one but essentially on spec, it's not really enough for me - not really enough power and functionality (one channel only) for the package. I'm using Focus 2 + Epifani UL110 now and total weight is 24 lbs. The only pain is that the UL110 is a little cumbersome to carry (but light) and that I have to put the head and cab together each time (which doesn't take very long). I'd love to find a combo around 20 lbs that is easy to carry (the JazzAmp form factor would be great) and has all the functionality and power of an AI head.

The JazzAmp has a single speaker and they claim it sounds great. No tweeter...
 
#6
I just bought a markbass 121p--a single 12, 300 watts (500 watts with extension cab). It's small and light. It has an xlr input and a 1/4 in. It sounds "warm" like a polytone. Unless this thing is really cheap, or sounds really great. it's hard for me to see how it's going to compete
 
#7
PB+J said:
I just bought a markbass 121p--a single 12, 300 watts (500 watts with extension cab). It's small and light. It has an xlr input and a 1/4 in. It sounds "warm" like a polytone. Unless this thing is really cheap, or sounds really great. it's hard for me to see how it's going to compete
Click to expand...

But you can't mix the inputs right? It's two inputs but still only one channel. The 121p still looks too heavy for me and like the UL110, it's a bit bulky to carry when you have your bass on the other shoulder. If only AI would consider doing a forward firing combo with a form factor that's not too deep...
 
#8
There's no way to mix them--I haven't checked to see if they both work at the same time

It's not a flat or transparent sounding amp--I like the tone, but if you're goal is a PA-rig flat sound, it's not the way to go.
 
#9
Believe it or not I have a GK MBX112 on order. I tried one many years ago with a different bass and a Dyn-B and it sounded like crap. However there was a time I heard one with a Full Circle and it was impressively good considering the cab. Now that I have a Full Circle on my bass, I'd like to try one again. We'll see how much tone I'm willing sacrifice for a 12 lb cab.
 
#10
Adrian Cho said:
Believe it or not I have a GK MBX112 on order. I tried one many years ago with a different bass and a Dyn-B and it sounded like crap. However there was a time I heard one with a Full Circle and it was impressively good considering the cab. Now that I have a Full Circle on my bass, I'd like to try one again. We'll see how much tone I'm willing sacrifice for a 12 lb cab.
Click to expand...
Hey Mr. Cho still using the Vektor or no? ...when you get ready to let go of the UL110 call me...
piro
 
#11
flatback said:
Hey Mr. Cho still using the Vektor or no? ...when you get ready to let go of the UL110 call me...
piro
Click to expand...

No Vektor - see here. UL110 is great for now. I love the sound but just wish it was less cumbersome to carry. I'm willing to bet I might always keep it for concert gigs but I really would like something for jobbing gigs that is easier to carry while carrying all the other gear at the same time.
 
#12
Drove up to Evergreen yesterday and tried out the JazzAmp, and I'm pretty impressed. (FWIW, my only real frame of reference is the Contra I've been using for the past several years, plus what I've seen/heard around town.)

The thing puts out a lot more clean sound than the Contra, it's comparably compact in size, and I believe it's a pound or two lighter. Looks/feels well made. It took a little fiddling to get the sound I like -- had to EQ out some mids and boost the highs a bit -- but what I wanted seemed to be well within its reach.

My only real complaint with the Contra has been a lack of power/headroom in certain situations, and I think the JazzAmp would be an effective solution. (Plus, if I drove one off the "line out" of the other, I'd have a LOT of sound!)

At the $749 "introductory" price, it's looking pretty appealing. I'll probably take the plunge.

FWIW,
Mark
 
#15
I took lessons from Ken at DU.

Actually got a chance to hear this amp when it was in its development stage. I was completely impressed. Matched with Ken's circa early 1900's bass and his Realist, I really thought it sounded almost just like the bass does acoustically. Haven't had a chance to try one out yet, but based on what I heard, I would seriously consider one.

Makes me curious what my bass would sound like through this amp. I bought it from Ken, after all.

Neil

EDIT: Also just noticed that I know the guy who designed and sells these. Used to play with him actually. Great, upstanding guy with a good ear for tone.
 
#16
After a second audition, I bought the 12. It's an amazingly efficient little amp; at "only" 160 watts, it pumps out a lot more clean sound than my 300 watt Contra. It's probably massive overkill for the venue, but I'm going to take it to my next gig (Friday, at a bookstore) and see what my bandmates think of the sound.

Seems to be a lot of amp in a very compact package, and that's what I was after.

Cheers,
Mark

P.S. Chace, you're right -- Bud seems to be a terrific guy to deal with.
 

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